Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi admitted on Facebook that he had mistakenly referred to a Guinness World Record as a ‘Nobel Prize’.

The minister was commenting on the New Vithanakande Ceylon Black Tea, which was recognised by Guinness World Records as the most expensive tea ever sold at an auction in Japan.

Handunneththi expressed regret for the slip, stating the error had led to misinterpretations on social media. 

He also regretted the “bankrupt discourse” being fuelled by members of the opposition.